Today we’d like to introduce you to Fayth Jefferson.
Hi Fayth, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started as a preacher’s kid turned teen-mom, who eloped at the age of 18. My brother, the late Bishop Omar Jahwar, took me under his wing and mentored me; he could see me living beneath my potential and knew I had more instilled on the inside of me. I went back to school and obtained an associate’s degree, that led to working in the area of Business Administration.
After obtaining my Bachelor of Business degree from Dallas Baptist University, Bishop Omar offered me a position with Urban Specialists, a social impact non-profit geared toward senseless violence intervention that supplies youth with educational and social service resources in underserved areas across the county; this changed the course of my life forever. The journey as a non-profit and small business executive ignited a passion for philanthropy, entrepreneurship, social impact, music, and hospitality. My position elevated from Office Administrator to Chief of Staff in 2015. I continued my education and obtained my Master of Science degree in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. In 2019 I started a company called HSG Solutions Inc. HSG Solutions supplies tax services and business development strategies for nonprofits, small businesses, start-ups, and social impact companies.
Mid 2019, Bishop Omar decided we should go after something new: the food industry. I was very hesitant, but He TOLD me this is what WE were going to do, so “Go to workman” lol. He called it The Five Experience, one of the core principles from his high-five model, social interaction. The foundational work was complete, and we were set to launch March 2020. Tragically COVID-19 hit the US, and before we could open the doors we were shut down. As the world began to open up my brother contracted COVID Oct 2020 and gained his wings March 2021.
Devastated, I didn’t realize what he left in my hands to carry out. In May of 2021, I came out of my deep depression and kept hearing his words echo in my head “Go to Work Man”. From there The Five Experience evolved into The FIVEe Bistro & Bar, The Soul of The Cedars. We relaunched in October of 2021, and the rest is history.
I now have new partners. Shoutout to Kent Williams, Justin Williams & Erik Grayson; we are making new waves in the city. I love working these guys they were heaven-sent!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road was rough, and I almost gave up a few times lol, you have to have tough skin in this business. A black person in the food industry is hard enough, add black-female, and it takes on a whole new meaning. The restaurant business does not turn over immediate profit; you have to have a good strategy and business model to survive. There were moments where I was ready to throw in the towel. God, my parents, and my family was my saving grace in times of adversity. Shout out to my Uncle Goob! I only had the capacity to open on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sometimes, we would close early because no one was there. I had a diligent crew who stood beside me during those tough times. A lot of them fell off along the way for various reasons, and that was painful. I eventually realized people have to do what’s best for them and not to take it personally. I think Tonya Sparks, my big sis, is the last standing OG from the original FiveE crew; she was there at the inception.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
The Fivee is more than a restaurant; it is a social gathering hub that promotes positive social interactions in an upscale urban environment. We are known for our American Food with a Soulful Twist, great ambience, and a positive social experience. Our customers rave about our cuisines and our VIBE! We have live music on Thursdays & Sundays, and our Day Parties are unforgettable! I think our culture sets us apart from others. We have embedded a culture of service, inclusivity, and love; I believe those who “Experience” the FiveE feel that (the extre E in FiveE is for the experience).
I am most proud that we made our footprint in the city. The Fivee went viral on TikTok spring of 2022, thanks to Shannon Brown of Epiphany, who hosted a networking event, and the branding of the The FiveE has held steady and has only improved since then.
We are not only a restaurant but a social interactive hub for our community. We love giving back, networking, and partnering with others.
Our hours of operation are Sat & Sun 11a -9p & Mon – Fri 11a-3p/6p-12a!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising that people who know me may not know about me is that I have a hidden talent; I can sing with my mouth closed lol! I sing, BUT I am extremely shy and get very nervous when I’m asked to sing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thefivee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiveebistrobar/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveatthefive/
Image Credits
Ebony Botchway
